March 30, 2011

The Organs Become Art: A Review of Rae Bryant’s The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals

In former WEAVE contributor Rae Bryant's latest collection The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals, readers are faced with a number of characters suffering from something like moral confusion. They are often placed in grotesque situations, dealing with forces larger than themselves and trying to figure out how to act within a world that is suffocating, dirty, and constantly violent. What makes this collection interesting is the repeated choice of inaction. The woman in “Solipsy Street” follows her husband as he essentially rapes a junkie in a seedy hotel (while wearing banana yellow bicycle shorts), but says nothing to let him know what she’s seen. In “Monk Man and Moonshine,” an already flimsy family disintegrates after a kiss between two cousins leads their grandfather to crack the boy over the head with his shotgun and knock him out cold. Sarah, the thirteen year old girl, claims that they “didn’t do anything,” and can only sit wrapped in a blanket as the family fights. With these nearly thirty stories, Bryant creates a gross portrait of a humanity that is sometimes fueled by emotion, sometimes by lust and hunger. The only shred of hope comes from a line in “Stage Play in Five Acts of Her: Matinee,” when one character assures us that “between the cracking, beneath the grime, we are perfect.”

Just as being human means possessing both positive and negative, so it is to be both animal and intellectual. Our analysis, our theorizing, is balanced with instinctive needs and reactions. While bringing to light issues of right and wrong, Bryant asserts the baseness of the human body, its meatiness, its flaws. "Intolerable Impositions," the second story, is perhaps the clearest example of the merging of mental and physical desires. In it, an unnamed man and woman spend the night together, and the woman is so disgusted by the thought of being touched by the man's one in-grown hair (which has become a "bulbous infection") that she chews through her own arm to break free of him. The man asks her to take care of it, trying to push the emotional side of things; his mother has just died, and now he has no one, no woman to help him. But the woman isn't interested. She "had not consented to affections." She was there for sex and sex only, and is willing to sacrifice her arm - she leaves the man cradling it like a teddy bear - to avoid an actual romantic relationship. After all, it's only flesh.

And that attitude isn’t all that strange for Bryant. The idea of the body as mere muscle, something unattached to thought, comes up multiple times throughout the collection. “Stage Play in Five Acts of Her: Matinee,” which I previously mentioned, features a female puppet as a specifically separate character from what “lives inside her.” The puppet cannot cry and barely speaks or reacts even though the stagehands “fondle and move her from the trapdoor” and their nails are “dirt-caked and sharp.” But the other woman, the essence disconnected from the porcelain body, is capable of remembering and wants to find her way back inside the puppet’s head to make her complete. “I Keep a Vine Woven Basket by the Front Door” begins with a woman removing her head to empty out all the old blood and bad remnants of the day. By the end, she dismantles her entire body, putting each piece in its proper drawer. Though we’re not told what exactly is left, we know there’s something. Some soul (or higher thought, or mind, or skeleton) is left with power enough to feel sympathy for the uterus, the distinctly female part of the body that has experienced loss in the form of, presumably, a miscarriage. The piece that was featured in WEAVE, called “Collecting Calliope,” describes a mythical brothel run by Tiresius, in which there is a prostitute named after the famed muse of epic poetry. Calliope, the “Jigsaw Lover,” has detachable, interchangeable parts, meant to suit the fancy of any hard to please customer; she can be a redhead or a blonde, have green eyes or blue, and be taken apart completely. The reference to Calliope not only ties in with the brief, more poem-like pieces in the collection such as “Man-Beast” and “Spyro Gyro,” but also emphasizes the despondency of the modern world, in which a personage from Classical Greek history has been relegated to nothing more than sex doll with “velvet” between her legs “where she vibrates when you touch her.”

So why the interest in the line between corporal and spiritual? It could have to do with the disturbing, at times almost post-apocalyptic scenarios in which the characters exist. They are starving, sweating, surrounded by death and lies and rape and covered in a layer of filth. Most of them have been through something life-altering, whether it’s abuse or the loss of a loved one, and as such their disassociation may be reactionary. That the characters capable of literally breaking down are all female highlights the feminist undertones present in the collection. The female puppet and Calliope are both undone at the hands of men who take advantage of their unconsciousness, their inhumanity, referencing the common female experience of being treated like a piece of meat. Bryant plays with the 50’s-era misconception that the “ideal” woman is meant to be quiet, thoughtless, and built for sex. The junkie in “Solipsy Street” doesn’t speak. Calliope is chosen from among the other prostitutes because she is a “perfect specimen in height, weight, hip to bust ratio.” The puppet in “Stage Play” has a clownish red wide-open mouth that she “learned” from years of what her unnamed lover called “practice.” Through her dehumanization of these female characters, Bryant asserts that such women don’t exist in real life. They are lacking in spirit or conscience. They feel no pain, mental or physical.

Anyone with both mind and body intact seems stunted by the world around them, forced into inaction even when they try for change. The young Addie in “City in Spires” wants only to take care of her ailing brother while their drunken mother remains immobile on the couch. Addie has to resist prostitution, sneak past a monstrous homeless woman living in a garbage can, and watch a group of hungry boys tear a dog to pieces, only to be ultimately punished. When her accidental magic ability to summon huge herds of animals (meaning endless supplies of food) turns sour and she draws in nothing but children for days, the city sews her mouth shut. It’s somewhat nonsensical since Addie used touch and not speech for her conjuring, but it serves its purpose as a permanent reminder of her witchery. The various references to drowning, like that of “Sublimity in Turquoise Blue,” fit in well with this theme of inaction, of numbness imposed on the characters by something greater than themselves. The protagonist’s near death experience makes her recognize that “the ocean is more powerful than [she’ll] ever be.”

All in all, Bryant creates a vivid portrayal of what it means to be human, in its gritty glory. A few pieces have a sort of unfinished quality, either due to strange syntax or endings that are a bit too open-ended. The poetic pieces I’ve already talked about break up the length of the collection nicely, being only one sentence each. As a whole, it is at times disturbing in its bleakness, and we could question Bryant’s switches between cerebral and bodily, her casting of both men and women as evil depending on their situations, but maybe that’s the point. If morals are imaginary, then there is no definite. Each of us can fluctuate between good and bad, high and low, with almost impressive fluidity and skill as only a human can.

___

Review by Robyn Campbell

The Indefinite State of Imaginary Morals by Rae Bryant was published by Patasola Press in 2011.

March 28, 2011

Pittsburgh Lit Events: March 28 - April 3

Tuesday, March 29:

WEAVE FEATURED EVENT!
Poetry Society of America Spotlight Series - Daisy Fried & James Longenbach
Two of America's premier poet/critics, Daisy Fried & James Longenbach, read their poetry; following is a discussion on the state of contemporary American poetry, moderated by National Book Award-winning poet Terrance Hayes. This is the inaugural event in the new Spotlight Series, presented by the Creative Writing programs of Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh.
McConomy Auditorium - University Center
5000 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
7:00pm - free - (412) 624-9341

Hungry Sphinx Reading Series
Weekly poetry and fiction series featuring area students and writers fills the upper room of the Sphinx Hookah Cafe. This week's featured readers are Celeste Gainey and Kayla Sargeson.
Sphinx Cafe
401 Atwood St Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
8:00pm - free (one drink min.) - (412) 621-1153

Release: Open Mic
Open Mic for poets, emcees and vocalists.
Shadow Lounge
972 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty)
9:00pm(18+) - $5 - (412) 363-8277


Wednesday, March 30:

Prosody

91.3 WYEP Radio
7:30pm



Thursday, March 31:

Pittsburgh Writes
Weekly writers workshop.
Crazy Mocha Coffee
531 Beaver Street Sewickley, PA
Call for time - (412) 708-3312



Friday, April 1:

Vanessa German: Root
Vanessa German delves into the sound and rhythm of words in this restaging of her one-woman show that explores the role of poet and audience in relation to the ritual of theater.
Kelly-Strayhorn Theater
5941 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty)
8:00pm - $5-$20 - (412) 391-2535 x203

Saturday, April 2:

WEAVE FEATURED EVENT!
Spared Book Release Party
Join Angele Ellis and guest readers Renée Alberts, Madalon Amenta, Jan Beatty, Deb Bogen, Dana Killmeyer, Ellen McGrath Smith, Andrew Sydlik, and Don Wentworth to celebrate Angele's second book of poems, Spared (a runner-up in Main Street Rag’s 2010 Chapbook Competition).
ModernFormations
4919 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA (Garfield)
6:00pm - free
- (412) 362-0274

Word Circus Reading Series
Selected readers from Chatham's MFA program read, followed by an open mic.

Most Wanted Fine Art Gallery

5015 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA (Lawrenceville)

7:00pm - free - (412) 328-4737


Vanessa German: Root
Vanessa German delves into the sound and rhythm of words in this re-staging of her one-woman show that explores the role of poet and audience in relation to the ritual of theater.
Kelly-Strayhorn Theater
5941 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty)
8:00pm - $5-$20 - (412) 391-2535 x203




Do you have a literary event you want to see listed on our calendar?
E-mail details to: joel.weavezine @ gmail.com

March 21, 2011

Pittsburgh Lit Events: March 21 - 27

Monday, March 21:

Drue Heinz Lecture Series - Yann Martel
Yann Martel, Man Booker Prize-winning author of Life of Pi (Mariner, 2003), speaks in Pittsburgh.
Carnegie Music Hall
4400 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
7:30pm - general $35+/students $10 - (412) 622-8866



Tuesday, March 22:

Hungry Sphinx Reading Series
Weekly poetry and fiction series featuring area students and writers fills the upper room of the Sphinx Hookah Cafe. This week's featured readers are Celeste Gainey and Kayla Sargeson.
Sphinx Cafe
401 Atwood St Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
8:00pm - free (one drink min.) - (412) 621-1153

Release: Open Mic
Open Mic for poets, emcees and vocalists.
Shadow Lounge
972 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty)
9:00pm(18+) - $5 - (412) 363-8277



Wednesday, March 23:

WEAVE FEATURED EVENT!
Madwomen in the Attic 30th Anniversary Celebration
The Madwomen were founded in 1979 by Ellie Wymard and Jane Candia Coleman after a Carlow campus visit by the writer Tillie Olsen, out of a hunger and a need for women’s stories to be told.
Celebrate 30 years of Madwomen with readings by and in honor of Ellie Wymard, Jane Candia Coleman, and Marilyn P. Donnelly.
Carlow University
Kresge Theater
3333 Fifth Ave Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
7:00pm - free - (412) 578-6363


Prosody

91.3 WYEP Radio
7:30pm



Thursday, March 24:

Pittsburgh Writes
Weekly writers workshop.
Crazy Mocha Coffee
531 Beaver Street Sewickley, PA
Call for time - (412) 708-3312


WEAVE FEATURED EVENT!
Black Nature Reading
The University of Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series and Cave Canem present poet Camille T. Dungy, editor
of Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Poets (Univ. of Georgia Press, 2009). Dungy will be joined by anthology contributors Toi Derricotte, Terrance Hayes, and Tim Seibles in a not-to-be-missed reading.
August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA (downtown)
7:00pm - free - (412) 258-2700


Friday, March 25:

Black Nature Discussion Panel
The University of Pittsburgh Contemporary Writers Series and Cave Canem present poet Camille T. Dungy, editor
of Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Poets (Univ. of Georgia Press, 2009) with anthology contributors Toi Derricotte, Terrance Hayes, and Tim Seibles in a panel discussion.
501 Cathedral of Learning Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
2:00PM - Free - (412) 624-6508


Saturday, March 26:

KINETIX! Poetry in Motion Open Mic Series
Monthly open mic series feat. local and national spoken word artists.
New Hazlett Theater
Allegheny Sq East Pittsburgh, PA (North side)
10:30pm - $3 - (412)320-4610





Do you have a literary event you want to see listed on our calendar?
E-mail details to: joel.weavezine @ gmail.com

March 14, 2011

Pittsburgh Lit Events: March 14 - 20

Tuesday, March 15:

Hungry Sphinx Reading Series
Weekly poetry and fiction series featuring area students and writers fills the upper
room of the Sphinx Hookah Cafe. This week's featured readers are Stacey Waite and Aaron Smith.

Sphinx Cafe
401 Atwood St Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
8:00pm - free - (412) 621-1153

Release: Open Mic
Open Mic for poets, emcees and vocalists.
Shadow Lounge
972 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty)
9:00pm(18+) - $5 - (412) 363-8277


Wednesday, March 16:

Prosody

91.3 WYEP Radio
7:30pm



Thursday, March 17:

Keeping the Wolves at Bay Book Launch Reading
Join Autumn House Press for a special reading celebrating the release of the new anthology Keeping the Wolves at Bay: Stories by Emerging American Writers. The reading features contributors Jennifer Bannan, Jane Bernstein, Sherrie Flick, and Casey Taylor with Editor Sharon Dilworth.
Adamson Auditorium, Baker Hall
5000 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
7:00pm - free - (412) 365-1274

The New Yinzer Presents
Join The New Yinzer for a special St. Patrick's Day installment of TNYPresents
. Featured writers include Dave Newman, Jim Cvetic, and Bob Pajich.
ModernFormations
4919 Penn Ave Pittsburgh, PA (Lawrenceville)
8:00pm - $5 (free w/ pot luck contribution)
- (412) 362-0274


Friday, March 18:

The Sanctuary Revisited feat. EARGASM
The Minority Networking Exchange in association with the August Wilson Center presents: The Sanctuary Revisted featuring EARGASM, Pittsburgh's premier spoken word event. Hosted by Leslie "Ezra" Smith and Vernard "Networking King" Alexander. This month's featured artist is Chris "I AM Sincere" Greer.
August Wilson Center
980 Liberty Ave Pittsburgh, PA (downtown)
9:00pm - $5 - (412) 303-0808


Saturday, March 19:

Speaking of... Reading Series
Enjoy a night of words featuring Marc Nieson, Weave's own Andrew Mulvania, and Chassity "Yah Lioness" Cheatham.
Amani International Coffee house & Cafe
507 Forland St Pittsburgh, PA (North side)
8:00pm - free


Sunday, March 20:

WEAVE FEATURED EVENT!
Carnegie Library Sunday Reading Series
The Carnegie Library’s Sunday Poetry Reading Series hosts a reading by Kelli Stevens Kane.
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (Main Branch)
Quiet Reading Room, Main Floor
4400 Forbes Ave, Pittsburgh, PA (Oakland)
2:00pm - free – (412)622-3151





Do you have a literary event you want to see listed on our calendar?
E-mail details to: joel.weavezine @ gmail.com

March 7, 2011

Pittsburgh Lit Events: March 7 - March 13

Monday, March 7:

Free Poetry Workshop
Pittsburgh Poetry Exchange hosts open poetry workshop on the first Monday
of each month. Call for details.
Borders Books - Eastside
5986 Penn Circle South Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty)
7:00pm - free - (412) 481-7636


Tuesday, March 8:

WEAVE FEATURED EVENT!
Reading: Deborah Bogen & Magali Cornier Michael
Deborah Bogen, author of Let Me Open You a Swan (Elixir Press, 2009), and Feminist Lit scholar Magali Cornier Michael read in Pittsburgh.
Duquesne University - Power Center
Barnes & Noble Cafe

600 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA (uptown)
7:00pm - free - (412) 434-6626

Release: Open Mic
Open Mic for poets, emcees and vocalists.
Shadow Lounge
972 Baum Blvd Pittsburgh, PA (East Liberty)
9:00pm(18+) - $5 - (412) 363-8277



Wednesday, March 9:

Prosody

91.3 WYEP Radio
7:30pm



Thursday, March 10:

WEAVE FEATURED EVENT!
Crossing Limits: Poetry from American Muslims and American Jews
In conjunction with The Word of God: Sandow Birk’s American Qur’an exhibition, The Warhol hosts a special evening of poetry and spoken word with Luqmon Abdus-Salaam and other local poets reading from the anthology Crossing Limits: Poetry from American Muslims and American Jews.
The Andy Warhol Museum - Theater
117 Sandusky St Pittsburgh, PA (North Side)
7:00pm - free - (412) 237-8300

Pittsburgh Writes
Weekly writers workshop.
Crazy Mocha Coffee
531 Beaver Street Sewickley, PA
Call for time - (412) 708-3312





Do you have a literary event you want to see listed on our calendar?
E-mail details to: joel.weavezine @ gmail.com